Deep M6.1 earthquake hits Fiji region
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
A deep earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit the Fiji region at 05:34 UTC on March 7, 2022. The agency is reporting a depth of 581 km (361 miles). EMSC is reporting it as M6.1 at a depth of 574 km (356 miles).
The epicenter was located about 345 km (215 miles) WNW of Haveluloto, Tonga and 412 km (256 miles) SE of Suva, Fiji.
There are just a few people living within 100 km (62 miles).
5 000 people are estimated to have felt weak shaking.
The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are informal (metal, timber, GI etc.) and unknown/miscellaneous types construction.
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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